Battery terminal



5 May 24, 1932.

RJ. WALLENB'ERG ETAL BATTERY .TERMINAL I Filed March 21. 1927 Inventor Patented May 24, 1932 BATTERY TERMINAL Application led March 21, 1927. Serial No. 177,048.

.The present invention relates to an improved connector which 1s known inthe art as a terminal connector, that is, a device which is adapted to couple an electricity conwithout danger of injury to the battery, with which corrosion will be reduced to a minimum., which, will provideand maintain a good and firm electrical connection to the batteryterminalA even under severe service conditions, and which will be relatively simple, practical, durable, effective, compact and 1n` v expensive.

ln the drawings:

`Fig. 1 is aside elevation of 'a connector constructed in accordance with the invention and showing its association with the battery post.` v l 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 3--3 of F ig, 2. i

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly.

Fig. 5 isa detail View of a cable `retaining bushing, andV L t Fig. 6 is a top plan viewof oneof the parts of the terminal.

In the illustrated' embodiment of the invention. the improved connector includes av contractible ring 1, and a clamping` member 2 assembled on said ring.- The passage of the ring is of a size and shape to fit over the battery terminal post 3 to which it is to be connected. If the post is tapered, this passage will be similarly tapered. The inner surface of the ring is preferably provided with a plurality of ribs 4 projectingr inwardly into the passage of the ring and extending in va direction endwise of the ring, so that when the ring is contracted upon vthe battery terminal post upon whichit is mounted, the ribs 4 will be forced into or will bite into the post suiciently to prevent rotation of the ring upon the post. Since the ribs extend in the axis of thepassage of the ring 4ber 2 and the ring' 1 will cause a necessary to rotate .the membe a directionendwise ofthe ring, and therefore 1n. a directlon endwise of the post, such ribs will not offer material resistance to removal post when the ring is ex anded or released.

While the ring mayv made contractible 1n any desired manner, it is preferably slit endwise at one side, as by a slot 4a which extends from end to end of the ring, thus di v viding the ring into two arms which, owing to the resiliency of the material of the ring, may be sprung together to 'p the terminal post, and when releasecglnwill spring apart to permit easy removal of the ring. The outer periphery or surface of the on opposite sides of the slot 4e has cam surfaces 5 and 6 which extend peripherally of the ring at approximately diametricallyopposite points, such surfaces being slightly eccentric with respect to the axis of the 1inner surface of the ring. The inner when the vmember 2 'is the cooperating cam surfaces of the clamplng memcontraetion of the ring upon the post 3 and a biting of the ribs into the post 3.

. To release the clamping action, itis merely r2 in the reverse direction, and the cam surfaces will move in a direction to provide clearance between them and release th'ering.l The highest point of the cam surface 5 is at the end adjoining the slot fia so that there will be a shoulder at the slot, .and there will be a similar shoulder 10 at the junction between the cam surfaces 5 and 6 at a point spaced peripherally from the slot 4a. The cam surfaces on the inside of the member 2 haveesimilar shoulders and 16 at their junction, and lwhen the cam member 2 is rotated in a reverse direction to release the clamping action lupon the ring, the shoulders 15 and 16 will engage against the shoulder 10 and the shoulder at the high point lof the cam/surface 5 and-the slot 4a, and will tend to spring apart thev arms of the ring and thereby comring Y surface ofthe' clamping` 'member 2E has similar but reverse cam surfaces, and therefore4 mounted upon the 'ring and' rotated about v of the ringby forcing it upwardly from the 2 i ij i Luana pletely release the ring from the terminal and more complete contact maybe obtained. ost. 2 In order to further increase ythe resiliency of A web 8 extends or projects laterally from the ring, the latter may be additionally slit the ring at its lower end andj t a point apas at 9 extending into the web 8 at a point roximately opposite fromfthe slot 4a, and at nearly opposite the slot 4a as shown clearly 70 its free end the web terminates in al cylindriin Figs. 4 and 6. cal boss 7 having a tapered socket 7 a extend- It will be obvious that various changes in ing from end to end thereof. `The boss 7 has the details, which have been herein described a lug or ledge 11 proj ectingx-itowards the ring and illustrated in order to explain the nature 1o at a point spaced yabove t e `web 8, and the of the invention, maybemade by those skilled 75 member 2 has a an'ge 12 at its lower end in the art within the principle and scope of which is disposed betweenfthe lug or ledge 1l the invention as expressed in the appended and the web 8. The lug 1 1-,jby overhangng claims. v the flange 12 prevents removal of the clamp- AHaving thus described our invention, what 15 ing member 2, that is, displacement of the we claim as new is so member 2 on the ring in adirection endwise 1. A terminal connector or the like, comof the ring. The ledge orlug 11 does'not prising a split ringhaving an opening of a restrict rotation of the member 2, however, size to iit over a terminal post, a clamping but only prevents removal vof the latter, but member surrounding and rotatable upon said '20 when the clamping member 2 is rotated into lring, said ring and member having-cooper'- 85 a position to release the clamping action, a ating cam parts by which rotation of said cut away portion or notch 13 in the iange 12 member on said ring contracts said ring, and Which is then beneath the lugfll will clear the 'also having additional cooperating interlock lug 11 and permit remOVl A"O f the Clamplng portions preventing displacement of said 26 member. This :facilitates` assembly of the member axially along said ring when said 90 clamping member upon the ring. The clampmember is in ring contracting position. ing member 2 may have a non-circular POr- 2. A terminal connector or the like, comtion 14 for receiving a wrench, by means of prising a split ring having an opening of a which the member may be olC-ibly rotated size to fit over a terminal post. a clamping 30- SO as t0 COIltraCt the rngnto firm `Contact member surrounding and rotatable upon said 95 with the terminal post. f ring, said ring and member having cooper- A tapered member 17 (Fig. 5) may have ating cam parts by which rotation of said an external size to fit thetapered socket 7a, member on said ring contracts said ring. and and an interior passage 17a of a size to receive also having cooperating interlock portions one end of the metallic part of a COHUCOI ineffective to prevent displacement of said 100 18. The member 17 is slitted endwise for member axially along said ring when said some distance from its smaller end, as shown member is in o, position inwhioh Said ring is in Fig. 5, so that when it isinsertefl into the released, and eiective, upon rotation of said tapered socket 7a, with the-conductor 18 1n member into ring contracting position, to

4o the cavity 17a, endwise movement of the lock said member against said displacement. 1105 member 17 farther intO the'SOCket 170, Wlll 3, A terminal connector 0r the like, comcause a compression of the tapered member prising a ring having an opening of a Size to 17 into firm wedging Contact with the 00nt over a terminal post, and' an extension dllCtOr 18 and the Walls Of the SOCkBl'. 7G. from one Side thereof at one end, Said exten- This provides a very firm wedgelike connecsion being'formed for connection to a con- 110 tion between the Conductor and the eXlSeHiOIi ductor. said ring being split its full length 8, and when the conductor 18 is pulled in .a a1; a point spaced poripherally at; least 9() direction to disconnect it from the boss, 1t degrees from S'aid extension, and a clamping will draw the member 17 into the tapered member surrounding said ring above said ex- SOCket and the tighter it Will be wedged. tension and having cam Surfaces acting 0n 115 It will thus be observed that We have PYQ- said ring to contract it upon rotation of said vided a very simple, practical and rapid lampen manner of connecting the conductor to the 4, A termina] connector or the like comring 1 without the use of solder. To remove prising a ring having an opening of a size 'the conductor 18. it is merely necessary to to fit over a terminal mist,` an extension from 120 d I'1V th tapered member 17 l a revers@ one side thereof and formed for connection dlectloh through th? SQChet 7C?, whereupon to a conductor` the inner surface of said ring the COIIUCtOI 18 Wlll lmmedmtely he Yehaving ribs running in a direction endwise leased for IGmOVal. c -of the ring, said ring being slotted its full 5 Since the slot 4a 1s diametrlcally opposite length at a point spaced'peripherallv at least 125 f1`0minstead 0f adjacent the Web 8, there 90 from said extension to permit it to conwll in reality be two spring arms which tract upon said post. and aclamping member may be sprung towards 'one another in order mounted and movable on said ring, said memto more closely fit the terminal post 3 to ber and ring having cooperating cam surwhich it is clamped, and therefore a firmer faces operable upon movement of said mem- 3 ber on said ring to contract or release said surrounding said ring and rotatable thereon, ring, whereby said ribs may be forced into the outer peripheral surface of said ring and biting engagement with said terminal post the inner peripheral surface of said member when the ring is contracted. having' cooperating cam surfaces causing con- 5. A terminal connector or thc like comtraction of the ring upon said post when said rising a ring having an opening of a size to member is rotated thereon, said extension` t over a terminal post, said ring being having a socket for the connection thereto of slotted in a direction endwise of itself to pera conductor, and also having a ledge projectmit it to contract into contact with said post, ing towards said ring, said member having a a clamping member surrounding and rotatportion interlocking With said ledge, whereby able on said ring, said ring and member havsaid ledge will prevent removal of said meming cooperating cam parts for causing a ber from said ring when said member has clamping of the ring to the post upon rotabeen rotated into ring contracting position. tion of said member, said member and ring 10. In a structure of the class described, having a flange and ledge connection to one a split resilient clamping band adapted to another permitting rotation of said member encircle a battery post, said band being proand preventing removal of said member when v ided With internal anti-slipping corrugain ring contrating position on said ring', tlOnS and belng externally thickened t0 pIO- 6. A terminal connector or the like comvide eccentric'cam surfaces, a plate-like eX- prising a contractible ring of a size to lit a tension 0n the band, a Stop shoulder on the 85 terminal post/to which it is connected, a band., a sleeve carried by said entension and clamping member rotatable on said ring, said provlded With a bore, a clamping member ring and member having cooperating cam adapted to fit over and `rotate on said band,

:surfaces by which rotation of said member said member being provided with internal Contracts said'ring, said ring having an excams for frictional Contact with s aid friction 90 tension for connection to a conductor, and Can Surfaces, 0n@ 0f the Cams belng adapted said extension and member having a, Hnge to abut said stop shoulder to stop said memand ledge connection to one another for preber from rotatlon beyond its release, said venting movement of said clamping member member bellg pIOVldGd Wlth an Outstandlng in a direction endwise of Said ring, fiange flattened on one edge, a retaining lug 7. A terminal Connector 0r theJike, comcarried by saidsleeve and adapted for coop prising a contraetible' ring 0f a Size to fit a eration with said Harige to confine it on said y terminal post to which if, is Connected, a band, said member being.,r further provided clamping member rotatable on said ring, said With a PQIOD fOImed fOr a tOOl grip. ring and member having cooperating @am In testlmony whereof we aiiix our signasurfaces by which rotation of said member turescont-racts said ring, said ring having an ex- FRANK J lVALLENBERGF- tension for connection to a conductor, said ARTHUR MCQUINN' extension having a projecting lug, and said member having a flange engaging beneath 105 said lug and held thereby against movement in a direction endwise of said ring, said ange having a notch aligned with said lug when said clamping member is in ring releasing position, whereby said clamping member may 1m be removed.

.8. A terminal connector or the like comprising a split ring having an opening of a size to fit a terminal post to which it is to be connected, said ring having a lateral extension from one end'thereof, a clamping member mounted on said ring and rotatable thereon to contract or release said ring, the lower end vof said member having a Harige, and said extension having a ledge beneath which said flange engages, for holding said clamping member against movement in a direction endwise of said ring.

9. A terminal connector or the like comprising a ring having an opening of a size to fit over a terminal post and an extension projecting laterally therefrom at one end thereof, said ring being slit in an endwise direction suiiciently to permit it to be contracted upon said post, a clamping member 

